So, how will the new trends physical therapist have to be in 2023?
Years ago, in France, there was a trend that today turns out to be very current throughout Europe: the physiotherapist is transforming from “medical assistant” into “paramedic”. In some countries, the physiotherapist has taken a fundamental role in laboratory diagnosis. Recently, he has also obtained the possibility of adapting the prescriptions according to his own vision of treatment; This happens in parallel with respect to the clinical condition of the patient.
Making long-term forecasts is practically impossible, but we dare to imagine what the physiotherapist will be like over the course of the next few years.
After having read the documents and having compared ourselves with professionals from different countries, we have come to define some characteristics that a successful physiotherapist will have to have.
Here are the six qualities that the physiotherapist will have to have in 2021:
1- Be specialized in defined areas maintaining a global and integrated vision
Specializing means deepening certain arguments until the said “specialized” figure will be perceived by the patient as “the solution to the problem”. Widespread treatments that go on for a long time are bound to be unsuccessful.
Having an “integrated vision” means not neglecting the interconnections between organs and tissues that are often at the base of many symptoms that push the patient to see a specialist.
2- Being able to integrate more techniques together with instruments in order to minimize the time needed to restore physical exercise
Every day it is more evident that physical therapies are an efficient modality to stimulate useful reactions to the body, to favor its self-repair. Being able to understand what reaction we need to stimulate, and at what point in the process, becomes a fundamental element in reducing therapeutic time.
3- Always be updated on the evolution of the therapies applied
While it is very easy to have access to data and information, it is very difficult to understand which are the reliable sources. For this reason, knowing how and where to find news about the evolution of applied therapies, as well as the need to adapt the treatments themselves based on the new information available, is essential to improve the therapeutic result and reduce the risks connected to the therapies applied.
4- Want to have up-to-date knowledge in the areas in which you want to specialize
Knowledge evolves at a very fast pace and dwelling on the notions learned in the past means being surpassed by those who keep up to date. Given that the time we have available is a limited resource, it is essential to know how to choose the appropriate training routes so as not to follow redundant routes.
Physiotherapy refresher courses
5- Have diagnostic skills to adapt therapy over time and improve dialogue with the doctor
To speed up the recovery time as much as possible, it is necessary to know the evolution of the anatomical state of the tissues to be treated, in order to adapt the therapy based on the response.
The integration of diagnosis in the therapeutic field, conceived as a tool to monitor the progress of therapy, will become a “must” for those who want to excel in terms of optimal clinical results.
6- Have the ability to work as a team with different specialists
Unfortunately, being a specialist means giving up studying some arguments in favor of others. Excellent clinical results require a great knowledge of the human body in its entirety, therefore, for the most complex cases, it is necessary to know how to interact constructively with other professionals.
A typical example is the ability to interact between the doctor who makes the diagnosis and the therapist who makes the therapy. If they cooperated strategically, adapting the therapy according to the evolution of the patient, the result could be outstanding compared to the “golden standard”.
